The Maryland Stadium Authority announced today that the structural demolition necessary for the Redevelopment of the Pimlico Racing Facility project will begin on Thursday, July 24, 2025 with the razing of the existing barns and outbuildings adjacent to Winner Avenue. Clark Construction Group, LLC, MSA’s Construction Manager, is tasked with the demolition.

In 2024, the Maryland legislature passed HB 1524 Racing Facility Ownership and Construction – Racing Operations which authorizes the MSA to issue $400 million in bonds to finance, demolish, design, and reconstruct the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore and to build a new training facility at Shamrock Farm in Carroll County. Design of both facilities is led by Ayers Saint Gross/Populous and Clark Construction Group, LLC is tasked with the construction.

The demolition package was approved by the MSA Board of Directors then the Maryland Board of Public Works in May 2025. In June 2025 after the successful completion of the 150th Preakness Stakes, the operator and all horses moved out of the facility, the Maryland State Archives removed and secured existing artifacts from the property, and the MSA and its project partners began securing the Pimlico site by installing temporary fencing, performing pest control, preparing utilities, and conducting abatement as necessary and important steps as part of the demolition process. MSA is pleased that structural demolition of the facility will begin at the end of this week. A ceremonial event to commence the demolition of the existing Clubhouse is under development to mark this important project milestone later this summer.

As part of the project, MSA will develop an exhibition about the history and significance of the Pimlico Race Course. The exhibition will use artifacts, oral histories, photographs, salvaged materials, and other appropriate graphics for display in the newly constructed Clubhouse and the publicly accessible spaces on the property and its perimeter. Themes highlighted will include, at a minimum, the history of Thoroughbred Racing in Maryland, Pimlico’s role in the history of Thoroughbred Racing, African American jockeys’ roles in Thoroughbred Racing, and the history and significance of Preakness.

A high level demolition schedule is available on MSA’s website in the presentation provided at the recent Pimlico Community Advisory Board (PCAB) meeting. MSA encourages residents and businesses near the Pimlico project to sign-up for the monthly community newsletter for information on upcoming construction activities, outages and major impacts, project milestones, plus bid and employment opportunities.

During the demolition and construction process all racing and training will occur at Laurel Park. The 151^st Preakness Stakes will take place at Laurel Park and the 152^nd Preakness Stakes is expected to return to Pimlico Race Course in 2027.
 
“Through this multi-year transformational project, the Pimlico Race Course will become a year-round racing facility bringing in economic benefits to the surrounding communities and further elevating Maryland, home of the Preakness Stakes, as a premiere sports tourism destination,” said Craig A. Thompson, Chair of the Maryland Stadium Authority.